Digoxin, sold under the brand name Lanoxin, among others, is a medication used to treat various heart conditions. Most frequently it is used for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and heart failure.
Facts
Mechanism of ActionInhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump in heart muscle tissue, increasing intracellular calcium and enhancing cardiac contractility, and stimulates parasympathetic activity at the atrioventricular node. 1 Approved UseTreats atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter and heart failure. 1 First Approved / Isolated Year Significant RiskBreast enlargement and, at excessive doses, loss of appetite, nausea, vision trouble, confusion and irregular heartbeat. 1 Classification
Approval Status ATC ClassSourced to the subject's own accountC: Cardiovascular System 2 Route of Administration WHO Essential MedicineSourced to the subject's own account Connections
Treats
Source Digoxin (Wikipedia)
Sources
1. Digoxin (Wikipedia)
Wikimedia FoundationLead section
Most frequently it is used for atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, and heart failure
Infobox, drug class
Cardiac glycoside
Mechanism of action section
inhibits the sodium-potassium ATPase pump
History section
1930 (first isolated from Digitalis lanata plant by Dr. Sydney Smith)
Adverse effects section
Common side effects include breast enlargement
Lead section, route-of-administration statement
Digoxin is taken by mouth or by injection into a vein.
- Regulatory approval status
View the Source 2. Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical Classification System (Wikipedia)
WikipediaFirst-level anatomical group codes, Code CQuote, First-level anatomical group codes, Code C
Cardiovascular system
3. WHO Model List of Essential Medicines (Wikipedia)
WikipediaWHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines used in heart failure sectionQuote, WHO Model List of Essential Medicines, Medicines used in heart failure section
Digoxin
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does digoxin need careful monitoring?
Its narrow therapeutic index means toxicity is common, so levels and potassium are monitored.
Adverse drug reactions are common with digoxin owing to its narrow therapeutic index, the margin between effectiveness and toxicity. In suspected toxicity or ineffectiveness, digoxin levels should be monitored, and plasma potassium levels also need to be closely controlled. Greater care is required in older people and those with poor kidney function. This record describes what the sources state and is not medical advice.
Where does digoxin come from, and when was it first isolated?
Isolated in 1930 from Digitalis lanata; Withering described foxglove use in 1785.
Digoxin is in the cardiac glycoside family of medications. It was first isolated in 1930 from Grecian foxglove (Digitalis lanata) by Dr. Sydney Smith. William Withering is credited with the first published description of the systematic use of Digitalis derivatives, in his 1785 book An Account of the Foxglove and some of its Medical Uses.
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